Hinged closure control



A. J. swANsoN HINGED CLOSURE CONTROL Ap' 1, 1952 f 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 9, 1945 FIG.

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INVENTOR /zmy ATTORNEY April l, 1952 Filed oct. '9, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 8.

Y m o w x O I 4 6 4B 'Il K l mvENTOR ALFRED J. swANsoN ATTORNEY A. J. SWANSON HINGED CLOSURE CONTROL April l, 1952 3 sheets-sheet s Filed Oct. 9, 1945 FIG. 22.

INVENTOR ALFRED J. SWANSON ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 1, 1952 UNITED STATESy PATENT OFFICE HINGED CLOSURE CONTROL Alfred J. Swanson, Hollywood, Calif.

Application October 9, 1945, Serial No. 621,185

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a hinged closure control device, and in particular to a device for hingedly mounting and controlling a door.

One object of my invention is to provide a hinged closure controlling device embodying an actuating supporting hinge unit and a hinged checking unit which when used together on a door, coact to hingedly mount the door and to control the movement of the door so that it may be opened with little eiort, following which it will smoothly, silently and automatically close when released. Another object of the invention is to provide a closure controlling device in which the hydraulic controlling mechanism is arranged in a separate non-load bearing hinged unit. A still further object of the invention is to provide a hinge having hydraulic control means. Other objects are to provide hinge means for a hand operated door which controls the rates of movement of the door in any part of its movement in either direction; to provide a hydraulically controlled hinge which offers little or no resistance to its movement in either direction throughout most of its travel, but whose movement at the ends of travel are hydraulically controlled; to provide a non-leaking hydraulic control hinge which may be used for long periods of time Without adjustment or servicing. These and other ob-jects are attained by my invention which will be understood from the following description reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a weight-supporting power hinge;

Fig. 2 is a top elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3 with the hinge in the closed position;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 4 with the hinge opened to 90;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the lower part of the shaft shown in Fig. 3 at right angles to the position shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the nonload bearing hydraulic control hinge of my invention;

Fig. 9 is a top elevational view of the same;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line Ill- I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line Il-II of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line |2-I2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. l2 with the hinge opened 90 from the position shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line l4-I4 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 14 with the hinge opened 90 from the position shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line Iii- I6 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 16 with the hinge opened 90 from the position shown in Fig. 16; y

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line I8-l8 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 19 is a side elevational view partly in section showing an alternative arrangement of the hydraulic control device shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 20 is a side elevational view partly in section showing another alternative form of the hydraulic control hinge similar to Fig. 10;

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2|-2l of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the mounting of a hand operated door in a door casing in combination with a hydraulic control hinge and a load-bearing power hinge of my invention; and

Figure 23 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the thermostat operated valve shown in Figure 18.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 to 7, and 22, the load-bearing power hinge 29 consists of a casing 30 having a cylindrical cavity and an attached hinge leaf 3|, a'shaft 32 having an enlarged lower portion 33 adapted to turn in a sleeve bearing 34 held in an intermediate position, in the upper part of the bottom block 35 which has a cylindrical cavity 36 serving as a thrust bearing for the enlarged lower end 33 of the shaft 32. The bottom block 35 is attached to the casing 30 by suitable means, for example, by the set screw 3l. The enlarged lower portion 3'3 of the shaft 32 is slotted vertically to receive the detent roller 38 which is pushed outwardly by small coil springs 39 set in holes 49 drilled at right angles to the axis of the roller 38 and the axis of the shaft 32, these holes (4 being shown) being drilled only part way through the shaft so that the ends of the springs 39 abut the closed end of the hole. Between the `bottom of the hole and the spring may be insertedplugs 4I of fusible alloy metal such as, forexample, Woods metal, which if `the temperature rises cylindrical casing 5 I above a selected point, will melt and relieve the pressure of the springs 39 against the detent roller 38. The detent roller 38 is adapted to movably hold the shaft in selected angular positions, by catching in the vertical slots 42 which are provided in the cylindrical cavity 36 of the bottom block 35. A coiled power spring 43 is anchored at the lower end in the hole 44 in the bottom block 35, and is anchored at the other end in the toplolock 45 which is non-rotatably attached to the yupper end of the shaft 32. The upper end of the shaft 32 is serrated and nonrotatably attached to the split cap 46 by the clamp screw 4l securingr the ends of the cap 45 together. The hinge leaf 48 is made integrally with or attached to the cap 48. A radial hole 49 is provided in the top block 45 for the insertion of a suitable pin for the purpose of removal of the block 45 when installing a spring of different strength as required for adjusting the tension of the power spring 43. The strength of the spring 43 is selected to vl'lt the particular -conditions of weight, friction, speed of closing, etc., and suitable for coaction with the hinged control device 50.

The hydraulic control hinge in its preferred form is shown in Figs. 8 to V18and 22. In these figures, the control Vhinge 50 consists of a cylindrical casing 5I provided with a hinge leaf 52,

the casing 5l having a cylindrical cavity 53. A `shaft54 is pivoted in the bottom 55 of the cavity 53 and extends upwardly through the screw plug 56 Awhich isI threaded into the upper end of the There is substantially no down thrust by the lower end ofthe shaft 54 in the cavity 53 when the .power hinge is adjusted to support the entire weight of the door on the bearing 35. The shaft 54 extends above the Vend of the screw plug 56 and is attached to the split cap '5:1 by'the clamp screw 58 `securing the ends of the cap 5l together. The hinge le-af 59 is attached or integral with the cap 5l. The shaft 54 is provided with a rotary piston 60 which extends from the bottom 55 of the cylindrical casing 5I to the partition member 6l which is 4disposed about; midway the ends of the shaft. A xed member or dam 62 is provided adjacent the rotary piston lto define the working chamber 63 Y for hydraulic uid. A control by-pass for hydraulic iiuid is provided by the holes 64 passing from one Vside of the piston t to the other through the axis of the shaft 54. At the intersection of the two holes 64, a needle valve 65 `hav-ing a stem 56 extends upwardly through a -hole in the `center of the shaft to a threaded head `lil which is accessible for Iadjustment by means of the slotl upon removal of the closing screw 69. Two other holes are drilled across the shaft from one side of the piston to the other, to provide one-way movement of the hydraulic fluid from one side of the piston f) to the other, the hole .being provided with the check valve 1I allowing the fluid to move unrestricted from the A working Ychamber on one side of the piston to the B working chamber on the other side of the piston, and the hole 'l2 being provided with a check lvalve 13 allowing fluid to flow unrestrictedly from ,the B side of the piston to the A side. These holes 'lil and 72 are so placed that as the piston approaches the end of its movement toward the dam 62 in the working chamber A, the outletl of the hole I0 is gradually decreased by the dam 62, there being provided a tapered slot 'Min .the .dam adjacent the opening of the hole l0. Likewise the hole l2 as itapproaches the 4 end of its travel toward the dam 62 in the working chamber B is gradually decreased by the dam 62, there being provided a tapered slot 'I5 coinciding with the hole in the piston shaft. The effect of these check-valved passages through the shaft from the working chamber A to the working chamber B is to permit free passage of the hydraulic liquid from one side to the other in the desired positions of the piston. As shown, when the piston approaches the end of its movement in either direction, the free ow of uid is gradually cut 01T by the tapered slots 14 or 'l5 depending upon whether the piston is moving to `the end of the working chamber A or the working chamber B, and the holes 'l0 and 'I2 are so disposed angularly that this results in a decelerating action to the movement of the hinge at the desired angular positions.

In addition to the valved by-pass 64, there may be provided an auxiliary by-pass which is actuated bya temperature responsive arrangement to compensate for the change' in viscosity of the hydraulic uid. A by-pass duct 16 through the dam '62 leading from the working chamber Ato the working chamberBis controlledby thevalve 11 actuated by the U-shaped bi-metallic thermostat member 18 which is attaehedto the .dam 62 in a cavity "I9, .the valve itself consisting of an inverted cup 8.0 having a groove 8| around its -circumference near the open end coacting with the adjacent opening of the duct 16, a;coi1 spring 82 inside the cup tending to .press 'thecloscd end of the cup against the .endof the U--shaped bimetallic thermostat member '18. -When `the temperature decreases, the viscosity of the uid be- .comesgreaten and .the auxiliary valve 'Il operscrew plug 55 is provided a reserve reservoir 85 for the hydraulic fluid. Replenishment of uid to the working Vchamber' on both sides of the piston is provided by means -of the check valves 86 and 81 which permit flow to the working chambers only. Leakage of luid around vthe-shaft 54, if any, is collected in the groove 88 which. discharges through the opening 89 in the extension of the partition member 6l surrounding the shaft into lthe reservoir 85. A sealing ring 83 `is provided around the shaft above the groove A881m order to prevent any leakage of fluidoutoffthe top of the hinge. The provision of an ample supply of reserve fluid in the reservoir 85, under ordinary pressure, is important in keeping lthe hydraulic working chamber entirely free-from gas. When suction is produced within'the hydraulic unit bythe movement of the piston, the replenishing liquid is drawn into the working chamber, and this prevents the drawing in of air, which usually occurs when ample `reserve Iliquid is not available through check-valvedports. The presence of only a little air in the working chamber prevents its proper functioning.

In the use of the hydraulic hinge for controlling the movement of a door having a latch', vit is desirable to interrupt the deceleration or slowing down action for a short interval immediately ubefore the door comes to the completely closedposition. To provide for this, a relief slot4 maybe' provided in the bottom surface of the working chamber, this slot being positioned so that the hydraulic fluid may by-pass under the piston, at the exact point where slight acceleration in the movement of it is desired in order to overcome the resistance of the spring latch going into the latch hole. It is obvious that this by-pass relief slot 84 may be positioned in any desired place in the bottom surface of the working chamber contacting the surface of the piston, as shown, (see Fig. 13). The relief of the hydraulic checking starts at 8 from the closed position and ends at 3 from the completely closed position, this relief of the checking action giving sufficient acceleration to the door to cause the latch to operate quietly, and without slamming of the door.

In Fig. 19 is shown the same arrangement of the hydraulic hinge as that of Fig. with the exception that the thermostat controlled by-pass is omitted. The thermostat arrangement is useful in installations in which extreme ranges of temperatures are encountered but may be omitted in interior installations where the temperature range is not great and the change in viscosity of the fluid does not appreciably or objectionably effect the control of the movement of the door. The similar parts in Fig. 19 are numbered as in Figs. 8 to 18.

In Figs. and 2l is shown .an alternative arrangement for compensating for the change in viscosity of the fluid with extreme changes in temperature. This consists in providing a Sylphon bellows 9U in a cavity 9| in the lower end of the shaft 54, the Sylphon being held in place by a pressed-in cap 92 closing the -cavity 9|. The inner wall of the bellows is attached to a stem 93 which ts closely in the hole 94 in the shaft 54 and is provided with a groove 95 which coincides with by-pass holes 96 through the shaft leading from the working chamber A to the working chamber B. The bellows 9U is filled with a condensible gas which liquies at some selected critical temperature, for example 90 F. If the temperature is 90 or below, the Sylphon contracts and the valve stem 93 is moved to a position allowing the fluid to by-pass from one working chamber to the other through the open valve. If the temperature rises above 90, the liquid inside the bellows changes to a gas and the bellows expands, closing the valve by the upward movel ment of the stem 93 to put the groove 95 out of register with the by-pass holes 96. It has been found that this single step compensation for the temperature change in viscosity of the fluid in the hydraulic checking mechanism gives satisfactory results in actual practice so that it is unnecessary to use a constantly changing opening in the valve for all changes in temperature. The action of the Sylphon operated valve, utilizing the condensible liquid, is positive in action, and permits the precise adjustment of the valve so that it i completely opened or completely closed.

By using the combination of the power hinge carrying the weight of the door in combination with another hinging unit coacting to hold the door in hinged relation toI the door-opening but carrying none of the weight of the door, allows the use of the precision hydraulic mechanism of my control hinge for long periods of time, without the requirement of servicing or adjustment. The hinges may be adjusted upon loosening the clamp screws 4l .and 58 and by the placing of the leaves. on the door or door jamb so that the load. The hydraulic hinge, with its precision construction is protected from wear in `the hy- `dr'aulic surfaces by shifting the load to the power hinge. The provision of fusible metal plugs behind the springs actuating the detent mechanism in the power hinge permits the use of my invention for mounting lire-doors since, in the event of fire, the release of the detent springs by the melting of the plugs releases and automatically closes the door. Since a door is always mounted with a minimum of two hinges, it is possible to provide the control hinge and the power hinge of similar outside ornamental design and of inconspicuous proportions so that door control in homes and other places where only conspicuous accessory closers have been available, is now possible by the use of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a hinged door and doorframe assembly, a door arranged to hingedly swing from one of its vertical edges in a doorframe, a power hinge and a checking hinge mounting said door, each of said hinges having a hinge pin, a casing, and two leaves, one leaf being vertically adjustable on its hinge pin and means for holding the leaf in its adjusted position, the other leaf being connected to lthe casing, said casing being concentric with said hinge pin, said power hinge pin having a thrust bearing on said casing, the hinge pin leaf of both hinges being attached to one member of the hinged door and doorframe assembly, and the casing leaf of both hinges being attached to the other member of the hinged door and doorframe assembly; the fastening of the hinge-'pin leaf to the hinge pin in said power hinge being so arranged and adjusted that all of the weight of said door is carried as a thrust load on the said thrust bearing between said hinge pin and said casing; and in said checking hinge the fastening of the hinge-pin leaf to the hinge pin being adjusted so that little or nok weight thrust of the doo-r is carried by the moving parts of said hinge.

2. In a hinged door and doorframe assembly, a door arranged to hingedly swing from one of its vertical edges in a doorframe, a power hinge and a checking hinge mounting said door, each of said hinges having a hinge pin, a casing, and two leaves, one leaf being vertically adjustable on its hinge pin and means for holding the leaf in its adjusted position, said casing being concentric with said hinge pin, said power hinge pin having a thrust bearing on said casing, the hinge pin leaf of both hinges being attached to one member of the hinged door and doorframe assembly and the casing leaf of both hinges being attached to the other member of the hinged door weight of the door may be shifted to the power hinge which is particularly adapted to carry a and doorframe assembly; the fastening of the hinge-pin leaf to the hinge pin in said power hinge being so arranged and adjusted that all of the weight of said door is carried as a thrust load on the said thrust bearing between said power hinge pin and said casing; and in said checking hinge the fastening of the hinge-pin leaf to the hinge pin being adjusted so that little or no weight thrust of the door is carried by the moving parts of said checking hinge; said checking hinge having an hydraulic piston means within its casing adapted to check the relative rotary movement between the hinge pin and the casing; and said power hinge having means within its casing vadapted to hingedly turn said door in one direction.

3. In a hinged door and doorframe assembly, a door arranged to hingedly swing from one of its vertical edges in a doorframe, a power hinge :.7 anda checking ,hinge mountingsaiddoor, each of. said hingeshaving. a hinge .pin,-. a casing, and two leaves, one leaf being -vertically Vadjustable pnits .hinge pin ,and .means .for A holding theleaf in :its adjusted .position, .the .other .leaf vbeing xedly attached .tosaid hingecasing, said casing being concentric .with said .hinge pin, said power hinge -pin having athrust bearing `on said easing, .thehingepin leaf of bothhnges beingattached to onemember ofthe hinged door and doorframe assembly, and the ycasing leaf .of both hinges being attached to theothermember of the hinged door .and .doorframe assembly; the fastening of thehinge-pin-leaf `to thehinge Vpin in said power hinge being so. arranged `and adjusted that all of the .weightof saiddoor ,iscarriedas .a thrust load on the said rbearing between said power hinge pin and said casing; and in said checking hinge thefastening of ,the hinge-L pin leaf toy the hinge `pin .being adjusted so that little or no weight thrustof the door scarriedby the movingY parts of said hinge; said .checking vhinge having an hydraulicpistonlmeans within its casing to check therelative rotary ,movementpbetween the hinge `pin and theeasing; andsai'cl power hinge Ahaving means within its casing adapted to hingedly turn said door in one direction.

ALFRED J. SWANSON.

8 REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES 'PATENTS Number Name ADate v496,926 -White 'May .9, ,189.3 .902,730 .Hill Nov. 3, 1908 969,926 Wightman 1Sept.13, .1910

,1,241,084 Bommer Sep,t.125, r1,917

1,526,422 Hurd Feb. 1.7, 1925 1,621,774 Fiwgerald Mar. T22, v1927 1,686,381 Tenney Oct. '52, 1928 1,701,022 Thornton Feb.,5, 1929 2,072,094 Bommer Mar. 2, 1937 2,103,660 'Bommer ,Dec.28, `19,37 2,166,651 `Wennmann -,July 18, V19.39 2,184,607 Swanson Dec. 26, :.1939 "2,200,865 Stannard May 14. S1940 2,230,661 `Wennmann l-Feb. A, 11941 2,434,524 'Swanson Jan. i113, '19.48 

